One of the world's tallest and most popular roller coasters was shut down June 30 after a crack in a support pillar was reported by a visitor, despite the park making its own daily inspections of all of its rides.

Fury 325, the world-renowned giga coaster at Carowinds, famously faced a major structural issue in late June 2023 when a guest discovered a massive crack in one of its primary steel support pillars. The ride was immediately closed for emergency repairs, which involved removing the fractured pillar and replacing it with a newly fabricated one from the manufacturer, Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M). Following extensive testing and inspections by third-party experts and state authorities, the ride safely reopened in August 2023. As of early 2026, the ride is fully operational and remains the park's flagship attraction. Carowinds has since implemented enhanced daily inspection protocols using advanced drone technology and structural sensors to ensure such a fracture never goes unnoticed again. The "crack heard 'round the world" led to a broader conversation in the industry about the stress-testing of high-G-force steel structures, but Fury 325 continues to be ranked as the #1 steel coaster globally for its incredible speed and "hive-dive" maneuver.